Baku:For visually impaired individuals, navigating urban environments involves more than simply moving from one location to another. It's a daily interaction with their surroundings, often requiring decisions about using a white cane, a human guide, or mobile applications, based on the safety and accessibility of the streets.
According to Jordan News Agency, White Cane Safety Day, observed globally on October 15, provides an opportunity to focus on the mobility, legal rights, and technological advancements available to Jordan's visually impaired community. Rafat Al-Zitawi, spokesperson for the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), emphasized that safe and independent transit is a constitutional right and a fundamental aspect of human rights. He highlighted the necessity of accessible infrastructure for educational, employment, and public service opportunities.
Al-Zitawi pointed out that achieving true mobility requires strict adherence to national building accessibility codes. Essential measures include installing continuous tactile paving, clear directional signage, real-time audio systems on public transport, and retrofitting older government facilities. The HCD actively enforces these through technical audits, engineering consultations, and collaboration with public sector stakeholders to ensure that accessibility is a core component of new infrastructure projects from inception.
For visually impaired community members, mobility strategies are influenced by personal preferences and environmental readiness. Disability rights activist Sarah Abu Ali prefers a human guide over a white cane, stressing the importance of physical and digital accessibility in restoring dignity and confidence. Media trainer Fatima Al-Hassan relies on a white cane for tactile feedback and combines it with voice-guided GPS for spatial orientation, calling for increased public awareness and the inclusion of visually impaired citizens in urban planning.
At the grassroots level, innovation is addressing everyday challenges. A team of students from the University of Jordan is developing a smart white cane prototype for the English Language Olympiad (ELO) 2026, using artificial intelligence to improve navigation for visually impaired individuals. Their design addresses issues like imprecise navigation cues and the high cost of traditional canes. The cane includes GPS tracking, AI-driven guidance, and an audio module to assist with public transport navigation.
As White Cane Safety Day underscores both the challenges and solutions available, Jordan's journey towards full inclusion requires a balance between upholding universal design standards and fostering local innovation that enhances independence and dignity for all.